Look at this sweet surprise that popped into Steiffgal's email inbox. A reader from Germany wonders if her theory that her recent find is a Molly has a leg to stand on. What do you think? Check out this note from Edel, who writes from Germany...
"I recently acquired a tiny mohair, excelsior-stuffed dog that I think may be a standing Steiff Molly and I would be very grateful for you opinion.
The little dog stands 8cm high and is 10.5cm from nose tip to tail-tip. She has no tags, ribbon or button, but there is a small hole in her left ear (from her point of view) where a button could have been. Her mohair fur is very worn and thin in many places, but you can still see that she had the typical Molly brushed-on colour. She has brown eyes with black pupils and an embroidered nose.
Her ears are folded over and sewn down with one or maybe two stitches at the tips. In spite of her very worn condition she oozes charm and character."
Good golly - this does indeed appear to be a Steiff Molly! Molly was introduced in the Steiff line in 1925 in both sitting and standing versions. Unlike other Steiff dogs of the period, she did not specifically have a breed, she was simply known as "a puppy." Steiff gave her this youthful appearance through her shaggy mohair, oversized black and brown glass pupil eyes, folded over ears, and an innocent, almost "pouty" expression.
It is safe to say that Mollies on all fours are an out-standing find indeed. Standing Mollies were produced in 8, 12, 14, 17, 22, 28, and 35 cm through 1936. Other standing models included Molly dogs on regular and eccentric wooden wheels, hanging pram toys, musical versions, and barking pull toys; a few of these novelties were manufactured until the early 1940's. However, no version of standing Molly was reintroduced after the factory reopened for business post war in the late 1940's. Sitting Mollies did appear postwar in five sizes ranging from 10 to 25 cm through 1969.
Molly is perhaps the most well known and beloved Steiff dog pattern. But, despite her legacy, she does not win the blue ribbon for longevity in the line. Overall, Molly debuted in 1925 and was retired in 1969, providing 44 years of hugs. However, she is slightly eclipsed by Waldi the long copper colored mohair Dachshund. A vintage Waldi is pictured here on the left. This dynamic doggie was in introduced in 1933 and retired in 1980, netting in 47 years of service... or the equivalent of 329 dog years!
Steiffgal hopes this discussion on Steiff's rare standing Molly dogs is worthy of some fancy footwork.
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